The Football League 2008–09, known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, was the 17th season under its current league division format. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals.
The Football League is contested through three Divisions. The third division of these is League Two. The winner, runner up and third-placed team of League Two will be automatically promoted to Football League One and they will be joined by the winner of the League Two playoff. The bottom two teams in the league will be relegated from the Football League to the Conference National for the 2009–10 season.
Before the season started, Luton Town, Rotherham United and AFC Bournemouth were all docked points for the League Two season for, in all cases, financial problems and additionally, in the case of Luton, for criminal matters regarding transfers of players. Bournemouth and Rotherham both started on −17 points while Luton had to begin on −30 points. On 25 January, Darlington were docked ten points after going into administration.
Changes from last season
From League Two Promoted to League One Milton Keynes Dons Peterborough United Hereford United Stockport County
Relegated to Conference National Wrexham Mansfield Town
To League Two Relegated from League One Bournemouth Gillingham Port Vale Luton Town
Promoted from Conference National Aldershot Town Exeter City
League table
Play-offs
Stadia and locations
Team Stadium Capacity Darlington The Darlington Arena 25,294* Bradford City Valley Parade 25,136 Rotherham United Don Valley Stadium 25,000 Port Vale Vale Park 22,356 Notts County Meadow Lane 19,588 Brentford Griffin Park 12,763 Bury Gigg Lane 11,840 Gillingham Priestfield Stadium 11,582 Bournemouth Dean Court 10,700 Luton Town Kenilworth Road 10,260 Rochdale Spotland Stadium 10,249 Lincoln City Sincil Bank 10,127 Wycombe Wanderers Adams Park 10,000 Shrewsbury Town New Meadow 9,875 Grimsby Town Blundell Park 9,106 Exeter City St James Park 9,036 Chesterfield Saltergate 8,504 Aldershot Town Recreation Ground 7,100 Morecambe Christie Park 6,400 Macclesfield Town Moss Rose 6,335 Dagenham & Redbridge Victoria Road 6,000 Barnet Underhill Stadium 5,568 Chester City Deva Stadium 5,376 Accrington Stanley Crown Ground 5,057
*Capacity limited to 6,000 because of planning regulations
Results
Top scorers PosPlayerTeamGoals1 Simeon JacksonGillingham20 Grant HoltShrewsbury Town Jack LesterChesterfield4 Adam Le FondreRochdale17 John O'FlynnBarnet Reuben ReidRotherham United7 Charlie MacDonaldBrentford168 Andy BishopBury15 Peter ThorneBradford City10 Paul BensonDagenham & Redbridge14 Ryan LoweChester City Brett PitmanBournemouth Jamie WardChesterfield
Monthly awards MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the MonthNotesManagerClubPlayerClubAugust Mark RobinsRotherham United Solomon TaiwoDagenham & RedbridgeSeptember Alan KnillBury Matthew GillExeter CityOctober Peter JacksonLincoln City Jamie WardChesterfieldNovember Peter TaylorWycombe Wanderers Grant HoltShrewsbury TownDecember John StillDagenham & Redbridge Marcus BeanBrentfordJanuary Alan KnillBury Dany N'GuessanLincoln CityFebruary Sammy McIlroyMorecambe Charlie MacDonaldBrentfordMarch Lee RichardsonChesterfield Reuben ReidRotherham UnitedApril Andy ScottBrentford Sam SaundersDagenham & Redbridge
Key events 25 February 2009 – Darlington are docked 10 points by the FA for entering administration
2 May 2009 – Brentford crowned Champions of League 2 after 3–1 win at Darlington.
Managerial changes Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table Bournemouth Kevin Bond Contract terminated 1 September 2008 Jimmy Quinn 2 September 2008 23rd Grimsby Town Alan Buckley Contract terminated 15 September 2008 Mike Newell 6 October 2008 20th Port Vale Lee Sinnott Mutual consent 22 September 2008 Dean Glover 6 October 2008 16th Chester City Simon Davies Contract terminated 11 November 2008 Mark Wright 14 November 2008 19th Barnet Paul Fairclough Resigned 28 December 2008 Ian Hendon 21 April 2009 16th Bournemouth Jimmy Quinn Contract terminated 31 December 2008 Eddie Howe 31 December 2008 23rd
See also 2008–09 Football League 2008–09 in English football 2008–09 Aldershot Town F.C. season 2008–09 Bradford City A.F.C. season 2008–09 Grimsby Town F.C. season 2008–09 Luton Town F.C. season
References